The Master of Theology program is available to applicants who have completed a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. An applicant to the Master of Theology program must submit the following materials to the registrar to be considered for admission into the program. Generally, all materials should be received at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant plans to begin classes, in order to provide the Th.M. committee adequate time for review and action. Admission into the Th.M. program cannot be considered until all application materials have been received.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the seminary (see the General Admissions section), documentation for application to the Th.M. program includes: (1) evidence by transcript that the applicant has successfully completed a full M.Div. or equivalent program commensurate with that of Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary; (2) a legible copy (that will not be returned) of a graded research paper from M.Div.-level work reflecting the ability to research a biblical/theological topic or passage, to organize, and to communicate in a clear and precise manner; (3) proof of competency in biblical languages at the CBTS M.Div. level. Competency may be exhibited by transcript and/or by examination.

Degree requirements for the Master of Theology

The Th.M. program involves 28 credits of which 20 credits involve core and elective studies, four credits are guided research, and four credits are guided reading seminars. The courses are sequenced such that if the student desires he/she may complete all course work in a single calendar year. The program provides for focused study in Old Testament, New Testament, and theology, as well as for flexibility through guided research and two guided reading seminars.

Master of Theology program overview:
1. OT courses, 6 credits
2. NT courses, 6 credits
3. Theology courses, 6 credits
4. Guided Reading Seminars, 4 credits
5. Advanced Research and Teaching Methods, 2 credits
6. Guided research requirement, 4 credits
Total: 28 credits

The core course schedule for the Th.M. program is as follows (all courses are three credits each, unless stated otherwise):

* The two electives (one OT and one NT) may be selected from any of the rotational electives listed below or from 600 or 700 level MDiv classes (subject to approval by program director/department head).

The purpose of the two guided reading seminars is to familiarize the student with the literature in critical areas of New or Old Testament or theological studies (OT/NT/TH). The required reading for each seminar is a minimum of 3500 pages with all works to be approved by the seminar advisor. For each seminar, the student will prepare an annotated bibliography over the material read as well as a journal-quality review on one of the major works.

Guided research and colloquium requirements for the Master of Theology

The aim of the guided research requirement is for the student to demonstrate the ability to conduct advanced research. The project must demonstrate the student’s ability to define a thesis, to pursue an academic investigation of the thesis, and to organize and articulate with clarity. Grading will be based on demonstration of scholarly abilities, particularly in areas of doctrinal integrity, intellectual structure and content, and literary style. Guided research projects must follow the form guidelines adopted by the faculty as based on Turabian, A Manual for Writers, sixth edition.

Option #1: Thesis Project. The guided research project that results in a thesis is recommended for students who desire to pursue doctoral work. This option requires a thesis with a maximum of 100 pages of text with a 10% variation beyond which written permission of the program director is required. The student will be assigned a faculty thesis advisor in the area of his thesis interest by the program director with the approval of the Th.M. committee. Due to the nature of the thesis project all course work must be completed before the thesis proposal will be approved. The student pursuing this option must sustain an oral examination by the faculty of the thesis and may include the student’s doctrinal position.

Option #2: Paper Projects. The guided research project that results in research papers is available to any student. This option requires two research projects of two credit hours each. Each project will culminate with a 40-50 page research paper. The program director will assign the student a faculty advisor in the area in which each paper is written. The research papers may not be combined with any core or elective courses.

The two research projects must represent two distinct and separate research projects. The two projects should be done in two separate disciplines (e.g., OT and NT). However, the two projects may be done within the same discipline with approval of the program director upon demonstration of the distinct nature of the two proposals. The two may not be combined into one four-credit project culminating in an 80-100 page paper; they are independent projects following separate timelines. The first paper is to be started following the first semester of courses (or once a minimum of 8 credits hours have been earned and before 14 hours are completed). The second research paper is to be done following completion of all course requirements. The student pursuing this option shall make a colloquial presentation of his or her second paper before resident Th.M. students and the seminary faculty.